Examining The Pluses In The Greek Psalter: A Study Of The Septuagint Translation Qua Communication

10.1163/ej.9789004177253.i-414.19

Brill’s MyBook program is exclusively available on
BrillOnline Books and Journals. Students and scholars affiliated with an
institution that has purchased a Brill E-Book on the BrillOnline platform
automatically have access to the MyBook option for the title(s) acquired by the
Library. Brill MyBook is a print-on-demand paperback copy which is sold at a
favorably uniform low price.

Chapter Summary

The Greek Psalter has been called a literal, even "isomorphic," translation more than once. For instance, A New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS) operates on the assumption that the Greek Psalter was designed much like an interlinear translation. This chapter focuses on the Greek pluses, so as to ascertain how they provide insight into the often overlooked interpretive nature of the Greek Psalter, especially when considered as a whole. Since the Greek Psalter is often characterized as being a hyper-literal translation, and rightly so in places, its lucid expressions, which do appear from time to time, tend to be overshadowed. This is notably evident when one considers the Greek pluses that seem to enhance communicative sense. The chapter looks at additions in various parts of speech, with grammatical and syntactical significance. It then considers additions on a larger, intertextual scale.